I paired this with an EMG81 in the bridge and an SA in the neck. Solder-less installation is easy for this but a PAIN for everything else (pickups, switches etc.) Also, EMG schematics are really poor. I read reviews that the AB thins the sound...Actually, I start to think the guys who reviewed it didn't install it properly. This thing boosts a clean tone straight to heavy overdrive, with some mid/bass top up so the sound gets a bit darker. So, when you boost a thick, tight gain tone, it just slays :) On full boost, you have sustain for ever in your leads. Otherwise, you can go for an "always-on" around 6-7 to have all the gain you ever wanted, and even setup your basic tone to be Midler. I didn't notice a jump up in noise ( I do have a gate always on for dirty tones) when activating the AB. Worth the money.